Looking to buy a MTB, really new to this
 

I hadn't ridden any kind of bike for probably 6 years untill about 6 months ago. I am deployed in Iraq, and the base i'm on is pretty big. If you want to get around you better have your own vehicle, or you will be walking, taking the bus, or riding a bike. Bikes are pretty hard to find around here though, so you don't see many. Riding for the past 6 months has me wanting at buy a better bike when I get home. Right now I have some Fisher bike I bought at the PX for $150. It gets the job done here, but the ridged frame beats you up if you take it anywhere off the road. What I am looking for is information. I'm looking to spend around a grand, maybe a little more if something catches my eye. I wont be taking on the hardest trails, so I think I am leaning towards a hardtail. What bikes have you all had sucess with? What bikes should I avoid? Thanks

Here is a picture after a few hours of riding in the rain and mud.
http://a606.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...89c93a582d.jpg

Rock on man! I love seeing those old fully rigids covered in mud and getting use. You probably rode that thing harder then these expensive things:

http://www.light-bikes.com/BikePhoto...nz_genius2.jpg

For a $1k hardtail I would go to a bike shop and hop on a few. Most bikes around the $1k range will have the same components because at that price there still isn't a lot of room to play. Personally I think you get a better deal when you shy away from some of the bigger bike companies because you end up paying for their R&D department as well as the bike parts.

Bottom line: What feels best.

Yeah.. those R&D departments don't accomplish anything.. just a waste of time really.

That's not my point. R&D does great things, but not for anyone in the $1k market. You will get a better deal from a company that is pushing out a typical frame with off the shelf parts.

Thanks for serving our country. Get home safe.

lol you look really stoked standing there with your bike. There are some 29'ers out there in that range that seem cool, but I don't know how the stack up to other bikes.

I wonder if motobecane ships to Iraq.

Well, what are some companys that are a little on the smaller side? All I really know about are the big ones like Trek, DB, Mongoose, ones like that.

Jamis!

jamisbikes.com

old veteran
 

IF your going to to a lot of hill climbing a 26" is good but for hard rideing standing on the peddals long distance i recommend you try a 27 or 28 " wheel my dream bike is a 29" gary fisher with all the bells and whisles i have a 28" 7300 Trec damm nice bike for 7or 8 hundred Thank you for your service/Ken

If you're budget-conscious, try a Trek hardtail with the SL frame (super light), quite sturdy and can take quite a beating.
Then add a Cane Creek Thudbuster Suspension Post and you will believe you are riding a dualie.
Of course many who have spent $3000+ on a dualie will argue, but hey it's about the fun of riding.
Maybe Trek can ship you one for free? Try it, you have nothing to lose.
Best of luck and play safe.
Mike

ya, those smaller companies like Turner and Ventana are super cheap....
but seriously.. you should be able to pick out any old Trek, Spesh, Giant, Fisher in your price range and do fine. whatever fits best.

+1000000000000! If I had the extra cash lying around I would buy you a new ride myself. When you come back where will you be located?



The only way you'll think you're on a dualie is if you don't know much about riding off road. Great advice there.

Better than the advice you gave, which was zero.

To the OP, dualie's are great but look at dishing out $2000+ for a decent ride plus all the other gear that comes with it, $2500+, which doesn't seem to fit your budget of $1000.

Id say thanks for serving my country like everyone else, but you're not. Thanks for serving with my country. Where's Cheeto? You two could natter for hours.

As far as the bikes are concerned, it been said already. Also, if you search and snoop the forums its been done a few times. I, once again, suggest a Giant.

Zero advice is better than bad advice. The OP stated that he was looking for a hardtail. I was fishing for a little more info when I sak where he would be located whe he returned. What type of terrain your riding will have a bearing on what type of bike would be best.

I havent been able to reply for a long time because I lost my internet. Thanks for all the help guys, it looks like I will be getting a Motobecane Fantom Pro

It's definitely a nice ride, but uh, best of luck with sizing.

As a fyi, someone recently posted here about his Moto Fantom and he started upgrading parts. Do yourself a big favor and wait until you can visit a local bike shop to test ride at least 3-4 hardtails...fit is very important and each will feel different...and yes, a 29er feels different than a standard 26.

A BIG THANKS for serving this great country...be safe, get home, and ride.

Yes, thank you for all that you have given and sacrificed.

woodstock 707? on clearance for 699?